Chinese national deported from Bintan for working illegally on construction project
Immigration authorities in Riau Islands have removed a Chinese citizen found supervising construction at a tourist site without proper work authorization, adding him to a re-entry blacklist as part of Indonesia's 2026 enforcement crackdown.
Bintan deports Chinese national for immigration violations
Immigration authorities in Bintan, Riau Islands Province, have deported a Chinese national identified as FB after discovering he was working illegally at a construction site in the district's tourism sector.
Officers from the Bintan Immigration Office found FB overseeing construction activities at a tourist area without holding the appropriate work permits required under Indonesian law. The case followed a week-long investigation that began on October 6, 2026, involving surveillance and intensive questioning by the office's intelligence and enforcement team.
"Immigration intelligence and enforcement officers found evidence that the foreign national engaged in activities inconsistent with his stay permit," said Adi Hari Pianto, head of the Bintan Immigration Office, on Wednesday.
The investigation revealed significant discrepancies between FB's statements and actual circumstances on the ground. Authorities determined that FB had provided false information and was conducting work activities that violated the terms of his stay permit.
Under Indonesian immigration regulations, foreign nationals working in construction and technical roles must obtain an RPTKA (Expatriate Placement Plan) approval, a work permit known as IMTA, and a Limited Stay Permit. Business visas alone do not authorize productive or technical work activities.
Authorities proceeded with enforcement action under Article 123(a) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration. This statute imposes penalties of up to five years imprisonment and fines reaching Rp500,000,000 for individuals who deliberately provide false or forged documents, data, or incorrect information to obtain visas or stay permits.
FB was removed from Indonesia on Monday, October 12, 2026, departing at 5:35 p.m. local time from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on a Hainan Airlines flight to Haikou, China. Immigration authorities have also placed him on the national blacklist, which prohibits his re-entry into Indonesia for a designated period under applicable regulations.
Part of nationwide enforcement trend
The deportation reflects Indonesia's intensified immigration enforcement efforts in 2026. National authorities deported 3,260 foreign nationals and cancelled permits during the first half of the year, representing part of 10,911 total administrative actions taken during that period. An additional 2,102 blacklisted foreign nationals were detained attempting to re-enter the country.
In May 2026, Indonesia's Immigration Director General issued a zero-tolerance policy statement following enforcement operations in Bali, where authorities recorded 165 deportations and 62 detentions between January 1 and April 12. Bali immigration offices alone deported 342 foreign nationals during the January-June period for violations including stay-permit misuse and overstays.
Bintan has seen similar immigration enforcement actions previously. In July 2025, the Tanjungpinang Immigration Office in Riau Islands deported 15 Chinese nationals employed by PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia for misusing limited stay permits. That company employed over 2,000 foreign nationals, predominantly from China.
Tourism development context
Bintan Island's status as a Free Trade Zone since 2007 has attracted substantial foreign investment in tourism and real estate development, particularly from Singapore. The island has experienced significant construction activity related to tourism projects, creating demand for foreign workers and increasing the potential for immigration violations.
Chinese investment has played a notable role in Bintan's tourism sector, with major projects including those by the Dalian Wanda Group. In 2019, Chinese tourists comprised approximately 35% of Bintan's 750,000 foreign visitors.
Adi emphasized that immigration officials maintain a strict stance against foreign nationals who violate Indonesian laws and regulations. The Bintan Immigration Office has called on residents and businesses to assist in monitoring foreign nationals' compliance with immigration rules in their communities and workplaces.
Anyone suspecting immigration violations or observing suspicious activities by foreign nationals should report them to an immigration office or through official immigration complaint channels, the office stated.